d and Zoe, and
had readily fallen in with the plans for the summer outing proposed by
Captain Raymond.

"You will go with us, of course, Elsie?" their mother had said, several
of the others eagerly echoing her words, and they had answered that they
knew of nothing to hinder, and should be delighted to do so.

So that question seemed fully settled, and now their talk was of needful
preparations and arrangements for so long an absence from home; of the
anticipated pleasures of the voyage and the proposed lengthened sojourn
upon Nantucket Island, including the sketching of the most attractive
features of its scenery.

Young, healthy, in easy circumstances, entirely congenial in opinions and
tastes, they were a very happy couple.

Lester was meeting with marked success in his chosen profession--had
received only yesterday a large price for one of his paintings; and as
Elsie and he were essentially one in all their interests, her joy was
fully equal to his, if not greater.